Review Onkyo DV-BD507

"The playmaker in its price range!"

Introduction

Announced in June and released in August. We're talking about the new and most advanced Blu-Ray player from Onkyo, one of the world's leading manufacturers of more sophisticated HiFi– and home theater equipment. The DV-BD507 not only raises the internal bar for HD experiences, the competition should also have noticed this clear sign.

At the IFA 2009 in Berlin, the new player was presented together with the also new AV -Receiver TX-NR1007 presented, a 9.2 - and thus suitable for Dolby ProLogic IIz high-flyer of the upper class. This will be available from mid-September for a price of 1.349 euros.

The BD colleague, which costs 399 euros (RRP), is optionally available in black or black and silver and weighs around three kilograms. The power consumption is a good 25 watts in active mode and 0,3 watts in standby.

Whether the device also offers what is promised - and in what quality - is the starting point of this test.

application

Overall, Onkyo's new flagship model is very well made. However, there are a few anomalies creeping in here and there. So be e.g. B. the edge fitting of the aluminum case into the Front panel mentioned. The gap here is too large for my needs.
It looks better on the back, everything fits perfectly and is also screwed on well.

If you turn the player upside down, you have a better view of the feet. While these are generous, they are made of lightweight plastic. I would have wished for a somewhat more luxurious material for a device in this price range. After all, this is also possible with the competitors in the middle class. In lower price regions, only rubber feet are attached to such devices, but I think there is still room for improvement.

If you take a look under the hood, you'll come across as an old Onkyo-amplifier–Owner all known before. What I mean is the clarity of the built-in components. The circuit boards are cleanly separated from each other. Except for the three-pin power plug for the fan, they are continuous Ribbon cable been used. The Power Supplies as well as the drive are provided with a useful metal cover, which leaves a very high-quality impression.

Aside from the processing of the housing, I would like to go into a few sentences about the included RC-732DV remote control. If this were a short test, I would only write: What is that, please?! But since there is an opportunity here to describe something more precisely, I would also like to do so. I was skeptical as soon as I unpacked the remote control. I always knew something different from Onkyo – also visually. Pressing the buttons is sluggish and the remote control doesn't sit optimally in the hand. Nevertheless, all important functions of the player can of course be called up with it, so there's no shortage of options.

Technology

If we first take a look at the rear connections of the DV-BD507, we'll find a rich one Connection-Terminal. In addition to the standard HDMI–connector (version 1.3a) we also find a component video output, a digital and optical output, a CVBS video output and an Ethernet connection. The Ton In addition to HDMI, it can also be used via the analogue ones that are also installed Cinch-Outputs are issued.

It is certainly worth mentioning at this point that the Onkyo offers the possibility of playing the video signal simultaneously via the HDMI and component outputs.

On the front there is a slot for SD memory cards at the bottom right. According to the manufacturer, it can be used to manage SD cards with up to 2 GB of storage space and SDHC cards with up to 8 GB of storage space. In the test, the output of JPEG images from an 8 GB card worked without any problems. Furthermore, you can also use the SD card slot with the appropriate memory cards AVCHD– Files are played. Before doing this, however, change the media selection from “disc” to “SD card” in the player setup.

Since the DV-BD507 also has an already mentioned Ethernet interface, it is possible to download firmware updates and interactive content from Blu-Ray discs after connecting to the router/modem. The whole thing is called BD-Live
(BD profile 2.0). In my test films (eg Pitch Black, Madagascar 2) the player was immediately assigned an IP by my Fritz!Box using DHCP and the BD Live enjoyment could begin. During the entire test period, the connection was stable and delivered the desired content without any problems.

Now we come to the drive and the associated playback test of the various media.
First of all, a small note on my own behalf: Actually, this test report should have appeared earlier, but unfortunately it turned out after a while that I had gotten a defective device for the first test. Unfortunately, the first player was not able to read BDs or needed 56 attempts (!) to load a "Warner logo", but that was the end of it. With further unsuccessful loading attempts, only the message "BD" appeared on the player's display and my wife immediately interpreted it as "Bad Day"! The built-in fan also sounded like a 38cm diameter fan in midsummer. Thanks to Onkyo's quick response, I was sent a replacement device immediately, and everything went perfectly right away.

The drive tray opens relatively quietly and leisurely - the same applies to the closing process. Unfortunately, I had to realize that it felt like half a BD century before the player responded to the "Open" button while the film was running. 20 seconds and more were not uncommon here. There is a small point deduction for this. However, you can only hear the drive when reading a BD/DVD, otherwise it is completely silent.

In order to keep it clear, there is now a list of measured values:

• Time required until the player is ready after switching on: 18 seconds - good average

• BD "The Man Who Never Lived": 45 seconds to Warner logo - below average

• BD "I, Robot": 41 seconds to 20th Fox logo - nearing average

• DVD "Resident Evil 1": 15 seconds - optimal

• DVD "Mission: Impossible 3": 16 seconds - there is nothing to complain about

In connection with Layer– There were no problems with changing. The picture ran continuously and did not stop.

The built-in fan cools the inside of the case continuously, but a little too loud for my taste. You can still hear it from a distance of two meters, especially in quieter scenes or dialogues. This should be improved with subsequent models and checked whether a quieter model should not be installed that also has a low volume flow per hour at the same time.

There was not a single crash during the entire test period, which is exemplary for errors in firmwares these days.

The player's amber-colored display shows the displayed information large enough and with good resolution.

Using the attached remote control, which has already been mentioned, it is possible to call up the following options, among other things:

• Resolution button: changes the Resolution via the HDMI output in steps of 480p/576p > 720p > 1080 > 1080p > 1080p24

• "PIP" button: Turns the Picture-In-Picture function on or off, provided the BD supports PIP (Picture-In-Picture)

• "Angle" button: If scenes of the film were recorded with several camera angles, you can use this button to switch between the different angles

Settings

The menu (or setup) of the player is visually fine and quite clear; you could also say it is completely sufficient for the sometimes diverse setting options.

Onkyo divides the menu into three sections:

• Fast:
  Frequently used values ​​can be set here immediately, e.g. B. the picture and
  Sound output via the HDMI connection, the resolution of the component output and the menu language. In addition, via the internal Decoder the speaker size group specific
  (i.e. not per Loudspeakers, but per speaker group such as "Front", "Surround", etc) with levels from -12 dB to +12 dB in 1 dB steps. In addition, the speaker size can be selected, for example whether it is a compact or Floor-standing acts as a “front” LS. Also settings for time alignment and bass management available.

 

• Custom:
  Here you can adapt everything exactly to your needs:

  Language: Audio, Subtitles, Disc Menu, Player Menu, DivX -Subtitle

  Video: image format, HDMI Resolution, Deepâ??Colour, Component Output Resolution, full screen–mode, still picture–mode

  Audio: BD – Audio Mode HD – Audio Output/Mix, HDMI – Audio Output, Downclocking, Dynamic Range Compression

  Security: Password protection BDs and DVDs (divided into 9 security levels from "Material suitable for children", to "Parental control is recommended", to "All")

  Others: Camera Angle, Shutdown, Slideshow, DivX–VOD, HDMI–CEC, Network connection, software upgrade

 

• Initialize

  Initialize settings, format SD card, delete saved BD-ROM data (player), delete saved BD-ROM data
  (SD card), initialize network settings

Furthermore, the DV -BD507 has an integrated video EQ, which can be called up using the "Mode" button on the remote control. With this EQ, you have the option of making settings for brightness, contrast, sharpness, gamma correction and color intensity while the film is running. For DVD playback, there is still the option of noise reduction.

Overall, Onkyo's most advanced player has an excellent menu.

BILD

DVD playback:

Test film 1: 300.
The Onkyo player skillfully upscales to 1080p. There are no horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines, the picture is free of judder and has excellent image depth. The contrast could be shown a bit better in some cases. The image sharpness varies between very good and perfect - but it's not a Blu-Ray either.

Test Movie 2: Mission: Impossible 3
Here, too, the DV-BD507 easily converts up to 1080p. The contours could be drawn a little sharper throughout the film, the color representation is exemplary and nothing flickers.

When playing a DVD, the player shows even more of its qualities and proves that it is an excellent upscaler. Even with the film "Gothika" with Penelope Cruz, I didn't necessarily miss the BD for the same film, because what the Onkyo gets out of this source material is really praiseworthy.

Blu-Ray Playback:

Test film 1: I, Robot
The device delivers an almost even better performance here Performance than when upscaling DVDs. The image quality is not only very good with "I, Robot". The image is very three-dimensional and, as intended in the master, is also displayed with fine grain. The image sharpness is as one would imagine throughout the film. Lawrence Robertsen's skin pores are, let's call it that, shown in all their glory down to the smallest detail with a harmonious color balance.

I could go on describing many individual scenes from many different BDs, but in many cases the film may be unfamiliar to you or you may have already forgotten the scene. So it can be difficult to get an idea of ​​it.
What is certain, however, is that the DV-BD507 is an optimal BD player for more demanding home cinema fans.

Ton

During movie playback, the voices are in Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby True–HD reproduced cleanly and dynamically. The player also differentiates more than properly from more complex scenes (explosions, battles, etc.).

It gets more interesting with the old-fashioned one CD–Play I as stereo-Fan had to test longer.

With Pat Metheny's "Speaking Of Now" I missed something during the entire playing time dynamics. I also noticed deficits in the bass reproduction, especially with Within Temptation's "The Heart Of Everything". While the Onkyo tries to achieve optimal resolution and spatial representation, it unfortunately doesn't always manage to do this, which leads to the feeling that it has to put in a lot of effort. But that doesn't mean that you can't listen to CDs with the device. It's just a BD/DVD player and not the only one
CD player, so I don't blame him that much.

Result

Almost the best you can get at the moment for less than 400 euros!
The Onkyo DV-BD507 excels in many respects and only falls short in a few minor respects.
Apart from the plastic feet, there is only positive criticism for the workmanship, especially inside the case. In terms of connection options, the device is well equipped. The SD card slot is a nice and useful feature. The stability of the entire system as well as the network functions should be an example for many competitors. In terms of the menu, everything is fine: everything is where it should be, the setting options - especially in the audio area - are diverse and the video EQ is a pleasant addition. With the read-in times, on the other hand, you can still do some arrows. The DVD playback quality is the non-plus-ultra of the DV-BD507; what is still brought out there almost borders on magic. The Blu-Ray playback is just as good. A credible and, above all, colour-intensive, sharp picture is offered here. The audio output is in accordance with the price range - but it still lacks a lot to the quality of a CD player alone.

Overall, the Onkyo DV-BD507 is one of the top mid-range devices compared to its competitors. Since Onkyo only recently joined the Blu-Ray business, with a product like this one can be excited about future devices from the outset.

Competitors in the price range of the Onkyo DV-BD507 (from 330 euros):

• Philips BDP9100 (from 360 euros)

• Sherwood BDP-6003 (from 350 euros)

• Pioneer BDP-320 (from 320 euros)

• Panasonic DMP-BD30 (from 320 euros)

                               

Test equipment:

• AV receiver: Denon AVR-2310

• Loudspeakers Surround: DALI Lecturer Set

• Loudspeakers Stereo: Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario

• TV: Samsung LE46A759R

• Speaker cable: Van Den Hul The Magnum

• RCA Cable: Audioquest Coral

• HDMI cable: Oehlbach Blue Magic

Portrait Onkyo DV-BD507:

Released: August 2009
Plays BD-Video, BR-R/RE, BD-ROM, DVD Video, Audio CD, CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL
AVCHD playback (on SD/SDHC/MiniSD/MicroCD card, DVD+-R/RW, DVD+-R DL), MP3, JPEG, DivX and DivX HD
HDMI digital output (version 1.3a with support for 1080p, Deep Color, xv Color and CEC)
Output video images with 1080p resolution and 24 frames per second
Upscaling all standard definition DVDs to 1080p (1080i, 720p and 480p)
Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio
BD-Live (Profile 2.0) to use interactive content
Ethernet port for BD-Live functionality
Simultaneous video output via HDMI and component connections
Picture-in-Picture Video and Audio Configuration (only for BD)
Accelerated video playback with audio (1,3x speed)
Adjustment of presets for image sharpness, contrast, brightness, Gamma-correction, color, black level and reduction of image noise
DTS digital surround and Dolby Digital
150MHz/12bit video D/A converter
192kHz/24-bit audio D/A converter
Audio, component and Composite-Exits
Coaxial and optical digital outputs
SD/SDHC memory card slot for media content
Available playback modes: Viewing angle, Repeat (Chapter/Title/Track/Group/All/AB), Fast forward/reverse, Program, Slow forward, Frame by frame, Shuffle
Setting and Playback OSD (Auto*2, English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Portuguese, Polish, Norwegian)
Display dimmer (auto, bright, dim)
Remote control for all device functions